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A Christmas romantic comedy with an unexpected secret ingredient – crime – is storming up the Netflix chart and delighting subscribers.
Jingle Bell Heist follows the story of two people, both down on their luck and struggling, who decide to rob Sterlings, a posh London department store, on Christmas Eve.
The film stars Sex Education and Barbie actor Connor Swindells as Nick O’Connor and Disney actress Olivia Holt as Sophie Arbus, a low-level employee of the department store who cares for her sick mother.
Nick was hired by Sterlings to update the store’s security system and CCTV cameras, but was never paid, and is now out for revenge against his former employers.
Shaun of the Dead actor Peter Serafinowicz stars in the movie as Maxwell Sterling, the owner and manager of the fictional department store.
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In the trailer, it’s mentioned that a kitty of £500,000 sits in the Sterlings’ offices above the shop floor, as Nick and Sophie devise a plan to break in and get one back on their former boss.
Jingle Bell Heist dropped on Netflix on November 26, which means fans have had plenty of time to watch it now, and the early reactions are positive.
With a running time of just 96 minutes, it sounds like Jingle Bell Heist is the perfect sort of film if you’re short of things to do on a Friday or Saturday evening.
@SandiKT commented on X: ‘Just watched Jingle Bell Heist. Not a bad little Christmas movie, with plenty of twists and turns for caper fans.’
@CatchUpWithCoco took to the social media platform immediately after watching the film to say: ‘Definitely didn’t see that plot twist coming.’
10 Netflix Christmas rom-coms to stream now
In the mood for more Christmas rom-coms? Here are 10 more you can binge your way through on Netflix during the festive season.
- A Merry Little Ex-mas
Netflix says: ‘A divorcing couple plan to have one last family Christmas together for their children, but as the festivities are about to begin, the husband’s new girlfriend arrives.‘ - A Christmas Prince
Netflix says: ‘Christmas comes early for an aspiring young journalist when she’s sent abroad to get the scoop on a dashing prince who’s poised to be king.‘ - Our Little Secret
Netflix says: ‘After discovering their significant others are siblings, two resentful exes must spend Christmas under one roof — while hiding their romantic history.‘ - Love Hard
Netflix says: ‘After meeting her perfect match on a dating app, an LA writer learns she’s been catfished when she flies 3,000 miles to surprise him for Christmas.‘ - Single All the Way
Netflix says: ‘Peter asks his best friend to pose as his boyfriend on a Christmas visit home, but their plan — and feelings — change when his family plays matchmaker.’ - Christmas As Usual
Netflix says: ‘To celebrate their engagement, Thea takes Jashan home — but his Indian roots and her family’s Norwegian traditions clash in a chaotic Christmas.’ - The Princess Switch
Netflix says: ‘When a down-to-earth Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess discover they look like twins, they hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places.’ - The Knight Before Christmas
Netflix says: ‘Medieval magic sends a 14th-century knight to modern-day Ohio, where he falls for a high school science teacher who’s disillusioned by love.’ - Operation Christmas Drop
Netflix says: ‘A by-the-book political aide falls for a big-hearted Air Force pilot while looking to shut down his tropical base and its airborne Christmas tradition.’ - A Castle for Christmas
Netflix says: ‘To escape a scandal, a bestselling author journeys to Scotland, where she falls in love with a castle — and faces off with the grumpy duke who owns it.’
@DaniYrselfClean said: ‘Jingle Bell Heist has no reason being as good and clever of a movie as it is. It seemed like a cheesy Netflix movie – um, it’s so much more, there’s some good twists!’
Film writers have been generally less positive than Netflix subscribers, with the film currently sitting at 60% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 10 reviews so far.
While Netflix viewers on social media seem pleased with Jingle Bell Heist, based on 50 user ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an audience score of 45%.
The film comes from author and journalist Abby McDonald, who began her Netflix career as a staff writer for Bridgerton after previously working for the NME, Cosmo, and other magazines.
Abby has published 10 novels, too, with 2013 book Dangerous Girls published through Simon & Schuster under the pen name Abigail Haas.
Jingle Bell Heist seems ready to take on Champagne Problems in the Netflix charts, which attracted a huge 20,500,000 views on the platform last month.
Fans praised it as a ‘delight’ and a ‘Christmas classic’, with actress and model Mika Kelly leading the cast for the film which has 69% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Watch Jungle Heist on Netflix.
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